Blackrock students in €140k charity stick-up

students at Blackrock College have set themselves a €140,000 target as they sell shamrock stickers for charity.

Students at private South Dublin school will be taking to the capital's streets in the run-up to St Patrick's Day in a bid to raise funds for Aidlink and GOAL.

They will be selling adhesive shamrock badges for €2 each, with all proceeds going to charity. Transition Year students managed to raise €140,000 last year. This year, the students are hoping to be just as successful, if not more.

"Last year, €140,000 was raised for the two charities, making it a very significant campaign for both of them," Blackrock College student Edward Kevin told the Herald.

adhesive

"The basic premise of the project is to sell as many of those little incredibly adhesive shamrock badges as possible in the run-up to St. Patrick's Day.

"The money raised from the sale of each €2 badge goes towards two charities: Aidlink, a small organisation which helps with long-term development in African countries and GOAL, a more high-profile agency that deals with alleviating the suffering of the poorest of the poor in Third World countries," Edward explained.

"In 2009, the current Fifth Years raised €140,000, so we have a lot to live up to this year."

There are 200 boys in Transition Year. They will split into teams, with some liaising with local businesses, while others will encourage primary and secondary schools to sell and buy the badges.

Other groups will send away badges to countries as far away as South Africa and Canada.

"It might seem hard to believe but the money raised from the sale of just one €2 badge can purify enough water for 100 people," added Edward.